Turning roll assembly



Jan. 16, 1968 A. K. PANDJIRIS ETAL TURNING ROLL ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March v 25, 1966 V O qmm wv mm mm ww hm :v ww QM wv I .5 mm mm mm 1 hm mm 3 INVENTORS ANTHONY K. PANDJIRIS ATTORNEYS Jan. 16, 1968 A. K. PANDJIRIS ETAL 3,363,786

TURNING ROLL ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 25, 1966 FIG. 4

FIG. 3

FIG. 6

FIG. 5 INVENTORS ANTHONY K. PANDJIRIS ARTHUR I. FREDERICK BY ATTORNEYS United States Patent TURNING ROLL ASSEMBLY Anthony K. Pandjiris, St. Louis, and Arthur I. Frederick,

Webster Groves, Mo., assignors to The Pan'djiris Weldment Co., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed Mar. 25, 1966, Ser. No. 537,352 8 Claims. (Cl. 214-340) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A turning roll assembly for supporting and rotating workpieces of different dimensions which includes a first drive roll disposed between and drivingly engaging a pair of first wheels adapted to support a workpiece. A second wheel is mounted on the same support means with each first wheel, the second wheels being adapted to support a larger workpiece. A second drive roll is rotatively mounted on each support means, and is disposed between the first and second wheels on the same support means. The second drive roll frictionally engages the associated first and second wheels so as to be driven by the first wheel and to drive the second Wheel and the supported workpiece. An adjustable means mounts each second drive roll for selective movement toward or away from the associated first and second wheels to provide an effective drive engagement therebetween.

1 This invention relates generally to improvements in a turning roll assembly, and more particularly to an improved roll assembly adapted to support and rotate workpieces within a wide range of dimensions.

Certain features of the present assembly are disclosed and claimed in US. Patent No. 3,042,239 issued July 3, 1962, owned by the common assignee.

An important objective is achieved by the provision of a first wheel and a second wheel rotatively mounted on each of a pair of support means, the first wheels being disposed in side-by-side relation and rotated in the same direction 'by a first drive roll disposed between and drivingly engaging the first wheels, and by the provision of a second drive roll rotatively mounted on each support means and disposed between and engaging the associated first and second wheels on the same support means, the second drive roll being driven by the first wheel and driving the second wheel. The first drive roll rotates the first wheels and a workpiece supported on the first wheels, while the second drive rolls rotate the second wheels in the same direction and turn a larger workpiece supported on the second wheels.

Another important objective is afforded by the structural arrangement in which the first and second wheels on each support means have their rotative axes fixed.

Still another important objective is realized by the provision of an adjustable means mounting each second drive roll for selective movement against the associated first and second wheels to provide an effective drive connection therebetween.

An important object is attained by the provision of an adjustable means mounting each second drive roll on the associated support means on a rotative axis between the associated first and second wheels on the same support means, the adjustable means moving the second drive roll in a direction substantially bisectin g the angle between planes passed through the rotative axis of the second drive roll with each of the rotative axes of the associated first and second wheels so as to urge the second drive roll against the associated first and second wheels with a substantially balanced, predetermined pressure.

Another important objective is provided by constructing each support means with a pair of spaced plates, and

by locating the associated first and second wheels and the second drive roll, rotatively mounted on the same support means, between the spaced plates. The adjustable means mounts each second drive roll to the spaced plates.

Yet another important object is achieved by the provision of an adjustable means that includes coacting brackets attached to the spaced plates of each support means, the coacting brackets having guide means receiving the ends of the second drive roll axle, and constraining movement of the axle to movement toward or away from the associated first and second wheels, and by the provision of fasteners carried by the coacting brackets, selectively moving the second drive roll axle along the guide means and selectively fixing the axle in a desired adjusted position in which the second drive roll exerts the predetermined pressure on the associated first and second wheels.

An important object is afforded by the structural arrangement in which the guide means includes elongate slots in the spaced coacting brackets slidably receiving the ends of the second drive roll axle. In the preferred embodiment, the elongate slots extend in a direction substantially bisecting the angle between planes passed through the rotative axis defined by the second drive roll axle with each of the rotative axes of the associated first and second wheels, and thereby constrain movement of the second drive roll in such direction, whereby to provide a substantially balanced, predetermined pressure between the second drive roll and the associated first and second wheels in all adjusted positions.

Another important objective is realized in that the fasteners of the adjustable means include threaded members extending into opposite ends of the elongate slots of the coacting brackets and engaging opposite sides of the second drive roll axle received in such slots, the threaded members being selectively adjustable to move the axle along the slots and to fix the axle in the desired position relative to the coacting brackets and the support means incident to exertingthe predetermined pressure by the second drive roll against the associated first and second wheels.

A further important objective is to provide a turning roll assembly that is simple and durable in construction, economical to manufacture and assemble, highly efficient in operation, and which can be utilized by anyone with little or no instruction.

The foregoing and numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will more clearly appear from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, particularly when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the powered turning roll assembly;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the turning roll assembly;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view as taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, side elevatioual view as seen from the right of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, enlarged cross-sectional view as taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2, and

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the drive connection and forces between the second drive roll and associated first and second wheels.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawings, it is seen that the powered turning roll assembly generally indicated by 10, includes a base 11 of inverted U- shaped configuration having a fiat upper wall 12 and depending opposed side walls 13. End angles 14 enclose the base ends, the end angles 14 having horizontally extending foot flanges 15.

The power unit is mounted on base 11, the power unit including an electric motor 16, the drive shaft of which is connected to a speed-reducing mechanism 17 through a drive connection enclosed by housing 20. A control wheel 21 is operatively connected to the drive connection between the motor 16 and the speed-reducing mechanism 17 so as to obtain an adjustment of the degree of speed step-down from motor 16 to the speed-reducing unit 17. Various types of electric motors can be utilized, as for example, electronic variable speed motors and standard constant speed motors. As is best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the speed-reducing mechanism 17 is mounted to the upper base wall 12 by a plurality of bolts 22 with spacers 23 therebetween.

A first drive roll 24 is keyed to a drive shaft 25 journaled in a standard 26. The standard 26 is fixed by bolts 27 to the upper wall 12 of base 11. As is best seen in FIG. 1, the first drive roll 24 is provided with a straight knurl or grooves to provide a friction drive surface.

A gear box 36 is attached to standard 26. The gearing (not shown) in box 31) operatively interconnects drive shaft 25 to input shaft 31. The output shaft 32 of speedreducing unit 17 is operatively connected to input shaft 31 by an intermediate shaft 33 attached by couplings 34.

The turning roll assembly includes a pair of pedestals generally indicated by 35, constituting support means located on opposite sides of the first drive roll 24. Each pedestal 35 includes a base portion 36 and a pair of spaced upstanding plates 37 between which a first turning wheel 40 is rotatively mounted by an axle 41. The rotative axes of axles 41 are located in parallel relation with the axis of first drive roll 24. The first turning wheels 49 are of the same size, and are provided with rubber tires 42 about their peripheries adapted to engage frictionally the knurled surface of first drive roll 24. In the preferred construction, the rotative axes of first turning wheels 40 are located in the same horizontal plane above the rotative axis of first drive roll 24. These first turning wheels 40 support and turn a workpiece 43, such as a tank, within a range of sizes.

The base portion 36 of each pedestal 35 is secured to the upper base wall 12 by a plurality of bolts 44. The mounting of the pedestals 35 to the base 11 is perhaps best shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. The upper base wall 12 is provided with a plurality of circular apertures 45 adapted to receive the shanks of bolts 44. Aligned with apertures 45 and formed in the base portion 36 are a plurality of elongate slots 46 through which the bolts 44 extend. For reasons which will later appear, the longitudinal axes of slots 46 are arranged in parallel relation.

The pair of pedestals 35 are operatively interconnected by adjustment means adapted to vary the spacing between the pedestals 35. Fixed to the base portion 36 of each pedestal 35 is an upstanding bar 47. The bars 47 are connected by a pair of tie rods 50. Nuts 51 threadedly attached to tie rods 50 engage bars 4-7, and determine the spacing of the pedestals 35.

Before completely tightening bolts '44 in attaching the pedestals 35 to the base wall 12, the nuts 51 are threadedly adjusted on tie rods 56 to move the pedestals 35 simultaneously toward or away from each other, incident to urging the first turning wheels 40 against the first drive roll 24 with a balanced predetermined pressure. After adjustment of tie rods 51], the bolts 44 are completely tightened to maintain the pedestals 35 in the adjusted position on the base wall 12.

Rotatively mounted on and carried by each of the pedestals 35 is a second turning wheel 52. Specifically, each second wheel 52 is located between the spaced plates 37 and mounted on an axle 53. The rotative axis of second turning wheel 52, as defined by axle 53, is located in parallel relation with the axis of the first drive roll 24 and with the rotative axis of the first wheel 40 mounted on the same pedestal 35. It will be noted that associated first wheel and second wheel 52 mounted on the same pedestal 35 have their rotative axes fixed and are located in side-by-side relation.

The second turning wheels 52 are of the same size, and are provided with rubber tires 54 about their periphery. These second wheels 52 are of the same size at the first wheels 40 in the present embodiment. The rotative axes of the second wheels 52 are located outwardly of and upwardly from the rotative axes of the first wheels 40. The rotative axes of the second wheels 52 are located in the same horizontal plane. As will later appear, the second turning wheels 52 serve to support and rotate a workpiece 55, such as a tank, within a wide range of sizes, larger than the workpiece 43 supported and rotated by the first turning wheels 40.

A second drive roll 56 is rotatively mounted on and carried by each pedestal 35. The second drive roll 56 is located between the spaced plates 37 and is mounted on a transverse axle 57 defining its rotative axis. As is best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second drive roll 56 is provided with a straight knurl or grooves to provide a friction drive surface. The second drive roll 56 is located between and frictionally engages the associated first wheel 40 and second wheel 52 mounted on the same pedestal 35. The first wheel 40 drives the second drive roll 56, while the second wheel 52 is driven by the second drive roll 56. Consequently, the second wheel 52 is rotated in the same direction as the first wheel 40.

An adjustable means mounts each second drive roll 56 on a rotative axis between the associated first wheel 40 and second wheel 52 on the same pedestal 35. As will be understood, this adjustable means will move the second drive-roll 56 in a direction indicated by A in FIG. 6 substantially bisecting the angle between planes passed through the rotative axis of the second drive roll 56 with each of the rotative axes of the associated first wheel 40 and second wheel 52 so as to urge the second drive roll 56 against the first wheel 40 and second wheel 52 with a substantially balanced, predetermined pressure as indicated by C in FIG. 6.

The axle 57 for each second drive roll 56 extends through apertures 60 formed in the spaced plates 37 of the associated pedestal 35. The second drive roll '56 is mounted on the axle 57 by a pair of bearings 61. A pair of stop collars 62 are mounted on the axle 57 and are located in the plate apertures 60, one on each side of the second drive roll 56. The stop collars 62 engage opposite sides of the second drive roll 56 to position the second drive roll 56 between the spaced pedestal plates 37.

Attached to each of the pedestal plates 37, in overlying relation to the aperture 60, is a bracket 63. Each bracket 63 is provided with an elongate slot 64 constituting a guide means, receiving one end of the second drive roll axle 57. To fix the position of the axle 57, the stop collars 62 engage the inside faces of the coacting brackets 63, while washers 65 secured to the ends of the axle 57 engage the outer faces of the coacting brackets 63. As will be understood, the elongate slots 64 of coacting brackets 63 are arranged in alignment with the plane bisecting the angle between the planes passed through the rotative axis of the second drive roll 56 and each of the rotative axes of the first and second turning wheels 40 and 52 when the second drive roll 56 engages such first and second turning wheels 40 and 52. The coacting bracket slots 64 direct the axle 57 along such bisecting plane and guide the second drive roll 56 in such desired direction for the purpose previously stated.

A pair of screws 66, constituting fasteners or threaded members, are carried by each bracket 63. The screws 66 extend into opposite ends of the slots 64 of coacting brackets 63 and engage opposite sides of the axle 57 extending therethrough. The screws 66 can be selectively manipulated to move the second drive roll axle 57 along the bracket slots 64 and are adapted to fix such axle 57 selectively in the desired adjusted position in which the second drive roll 56 exerts the predetermined pressure on the associated first and second wheels 40 and 52.

It is thought that the functional advantages of the powered turning roll assembly has become fully apparent from the foregoing detailed description of parts, but for completeness of disclosure, the usage of such turning roll assembly will be briefly described. It will be assumed that the powered turning roll assembly 10 is utilized in conjunction with a cooperating idler roll assembly (not shown), and it is desired to support a cylindrical workpiece in a horizontal position. The present turning roll assembly is particularly advantageous to support and rotate cylindrical tanks during welding of annular seams. For the purpose of illustration, the workpieces 43 and 55 in FIG. 2 are shown as cylindrical tanks.

In utilizing the powered turning roll assembly, the pressure between the first turning wheels 40 and the first drive roll 24 is adjusted. First, the bolts 44 are loosened so that the base portions 36 of the pedestals 35 are free to move selectively toward or away from each other under the guiding action of bolts 44 in slots 46. The nuts 51 on tie rods 50 are threadedly adjusted so that the pedestals 35 are moved simultaneously in selectively adjusting the pressure of first turning wheels 40 with the first drive roll 24.

This structural arrangement of the first drive roll 24 relative to the first turning wheels 40, and the position and operation of the adjustable tie rods 50, assure that both of the first wheels 40 are subjected to the same inward force for equal load-carrying capabilities and for preventing unbalanced horizontal forces on the drive roll shaft 25.

After the pedestals 35 and the first turning wheels 40 are adjusted, the bolts 44 are tightened to clamp the base portions 36 to the upper base wall 12, thus maintaining the assembly in the selectively adjusted position.

Then, the pressure between the first and second wheels 40 and 52 and the second drive roll 56 carried on the same pedestal 35, is adjusted. A detailed explanation of the adjustment relative to one of the second drive rolls 56 will suffice for the other.

For example, the screws 66 are selectively manipulated so as to move the second drive roll axle 57 in either direction along the bracket slots 64 in order to move the second drive roll 56 toward or away from the associated first and second wheels 40 and 52. When the appropriate screws 66 have been adjusted to urge the second drive roll 56 against the associated first and second wheels 40 and 52 with a predetermined pressure, the screws 66 are tightened to fix the axle 57, and hence fix the second drive roll 56, in the adjusted position.

This structural arrangement and mounting of the second drive rolls 56 relative to their associated first and second wheels 40 and 52 assure that both of the second wheels 52 are subjected to the same inward force for equal load-carrying capabilities and that the second drive rolls 56 are not subjected to unbalanced forces by their associated first and second turning wheels 40 and 52.

A workpiece 43 within a wide range of sizes can be supported and rotated by the first turning wheels 40, such first wheels 40 being driven by the first drive roll 24. The second turning wheels 52 and their drive connection expand the workpiece diameter capacity of the turning roll assembly. A larger workpiece 55, within a larger range of sizes compared to the workpiece 43, is supported and rotated by the second turning wheels 52. The second turning wheels 52 are driven by the second drive rolls 56, which in turn are driven by the first turning rolls 40 through the common and primary first drive roll 24.

Although the invention has been described by making detailed reference to a single preferred embodiment, such detail is to be understood in an instructive, rather than in any restrictive sense, many variants being possible within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

6 We claim as our invention: 1. In a turning roll assembly for supporting and rotating workpieces of different dimensions:

. (a) a base,

(b) a pair of support means mounted on the base,

(c) a first wheel and a second wheel rotatively mounted on each support means,

(d) the said first wheels mounted on the pair of support means disposed in side-by-side relation and adapted to support a workpiece,

(e) the said second wheels mounted on the pair of support means disposed outwardly of the said first wheels and adapted to support a larger workpiece,

(f) a first drive roll disposed between and drivingly engaging the said first wheels to rotate said first wheels in the same direction,

(g) means rotating the first drive roll to turn the said first wheels and the workpiece supported on said first wheels, and

(h) a second drive roll rotatively mounted on each support means, and disposed between and frictionally engaging the said first and second wheels on the same support means, the second drive roll being driven by the said first wheel and driving the said second wheel,

(i) the second drive rolls rotating the said second wheels in the same direction and turning the workpiece supported on the said second wheels.

2. A turning roll assembly as defined in claim 1, in

which:

(j) an adjustable means mounts each second drive roll for selective movement toward or away from the associated first and second wheels so that the second drive roll engages the first and second wheels to provide an effective drive connection therebetween.

3. A turning roll assembly as defined in claim 1, in

which:

(j) the first and second wheels mounted on the same Isiupport means have their rotative axes relatively (k) an adjustable means mounts each second drive roll on the associated support means on a rotative axis between the associated first and second wheels on the same support means, and

(l) the adjustable means moves the second drive roll in a direction substantially bisecting the angle between planes passed through the rotative axis of the second drive roll with each of the rotative axes of the first and second wheels, toward or away from the first and second wheels, so as to urge the second drive roll against the first and second wheels with a substantially balanced, predetermined pressure.

4. A turning roll assembly as defined in claim 1, in

which:

(j) each support means includes a pair of spaced plates,

(k) the associated first and second wheels on the same support means are rotatively mounted on and located between the spaced plates,

(1) each second drive roll is located between the spaced plates of the associated support means, and

(m) an adjustable means mounts each second drive roll to the spaced plates for movement toward or away from the associated first and second wheels so that the second drive roll engages the first and second wheels with a predetermined pressure, whereby the first wheel turns the second wheel in the same direction.

5. In a turning roll assembly for supporting and rotating workpieces of difi'erent dimensions:

(a) a base,

(b) a pair of support means mounted on the base,

(c) a first wheel and a second wheel rotatively mounted on each support means,

(d) the said first wheels mounted on the pair of support means disposed in side-by-side relation and adapted to support a workpiece,

(e) the said second wheels mounted on the pair of support means disposed outwardly of the said first wheels and adapted to support a larger workpiece,

(f) a first drive roll disposed between and drivingly engaging the said first wheels to rotate said first wheels in the same direction,

(g) means rotating the first drive roll to turn the said first wheels and the workpiece supported on said first wheels, and

(h) a second drive roll rotatively mounted on each support means, and disposed between an engaging the said first and second Wheels on the same support means, the second drive roll being driven by the said first Wheel and driving the said second wheel,

(i) the second drive rolls rotating the said second wheels in the same direction and turning the workpiece supported on the said second Wheels,

(j) each support means includes a pair of spaced plates,

(k) the associated first and second wheels on the same support means are rotatively mounted on and located between the spaced plates,

(1) each second drive roll is located between the spaced plates of the associated support means, and

(m) an adjustable means mounts each second drive roll to the spaced plates for movement against the associated first and second wheels with a predetermined pressure, whereby the first Wheel turns the second wheel in the same direction,

(n) an axle on which the second drive roll is rotative- 1y mounted extends between the spaced plates of each support means,

() the adjustable means includes brackets attached to the spaced plates of each support means,

(p) guide means on the coacting brackets received the ends of each associated second drive roll axle, and constrain movement of the axle to movement toward or away from the associated first and second wheels, and

(q) fasteners are carried by the coating brackets, the fasteners selectively moving each associated second drive roll axle along the guide means and selectively fixing the axle in a desired, adjusted position in which the second drive roll exerts the predetermined pressure on the associated first and second wheels.

6. A turning roll assembly as defined in claim 5, in

which:

(r) the guide means includes elongate slots in the spaced coacting brackets slidably receiving the ends of each associated second drive roll axle.

7. A turning roll assembly as defined in claim 6, in

which:

(s) the fasteners include threaded members extending into opposite ends of the elongate slots provided by the coacting brackets and engaging opposite sides of each associated second drive roll axle, the threaded members being selectively adjustable to move the axle along the slots and to fix the axle in the desired position relative to the coacting brackets and support means, whereby each second drive roll exerts the predetermined pressure on the associated first and second wheels.

8. In a turning roll assembly for supporting and rotating workpieces of different dimensions:

(a) a base,

(b) a pair of support means mounted on the base,

(0) a first wheel and a second wheel rotatively mounted on each support means,

(d) the said first Wheels mounted on the pair of support means disposed in side-by-side relation and adapted to support a workpiece,

(e) the said second wheels mounted on the pair of support means disposed outwardly of the said first wheels and adapted to support a larger workpiece,

(f) a first drive roll disposed between and drivingly engaging the said first wheels to rotate said first wheels in the same direction,

(g) means rotating the first drive roll to turn the said first wheels and the workpiece supported on said first wheels, and

(h) a second drive roll rotatively mounted on each support means, and disposed between and engaging the said first and second wheels on the same support means, the second drive roll being driven by the said first wheel and driving the said second wheel,

(j) each support means includes a pair of spaced wheels in the same direction and turning the workpiece supported on the said second wheels,

(j) each support means includes a pair of spaced plates,

(k) the associated first and second wheels of each support means are rotatively mounted on and located between the spaced plates on relatively fixed rotative axes,

(l) the said second wheels have their rotative axes located above and outwardly of the rotative axes of the associated first wheels,

(in) the first and second Wheels are substantially the same diameter,

(n) each second drive roll is located between the spaced plates of the associated support means,

(0) an axle on which each second drive roll is r0- tatively mounted extends between the spaced plates,

(p) coacting brackets are attached to the spaced plates of each support means in opposed relation,

(g) the coacting brackets include elongate slots extending in a direction substantially bisecting the angle between planes passed through the rotative axis of the second drive roll with each of the rotative axes of the associated first and second wheels, the slots receiving and guiding the ends of the second drive roll axle,

(r) a pair of screws are carried by each of the coacting brackets and extend into opposite ends of the bracket slot to engage opposite sides of the second drive roll axle, and

(s) threaded adjustment of the screws moves the second drive roll axle along the bracket slots selectively toward or away from the associated first and second wheels to urge the second drive roll against the associated first and second Wheels with a substantially balanced predetermined pressure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 896,172 8/1908 Thomas 198l27 2,738,082 3/1956 Vernon 214-340 3,042,239 7/1962 Cooper 214-340 3,258,144 6/1966 Reschke 214-340 HUGG O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner. 

